What is a 'plan to achieve self-support' after disability?

For most people in San Diego, Social Security disability benefits are not a permanent means of income. In fact, individuals who receive these benefits are often given incentives to help them reduce their need for Social Security disability payments and to get back to work. One method of eliminating one's need for Social Security disability benefits is to create a plan to achieve self-support.

Also called a PASS, a plan to achieve self-support is just what it sounds like -- a plan to earn income that will support an individual's needs. A person who creates a PASS may receive help from Social Security in the form of increased benefits payments, referrals to vocational specialists and other useful resources, all of which are given with the end goal of having the person meet his goal and no longer need Social Security benefits.

A PASS must be well-crafted and written out before the Social Security Administration will review it for approval. There are many details an individual should include in his PASS application. This post will discuss some of the most salient elements of a PASS, but individuals who would like to create their own PASS applications should talk to attorneys who work in the Social Security disability field.

Primarily, a PASS should stipulate the applicant's goal and the timeframe he anticipates that he will need to reach it. An applicant should include an assessment of what benefits and resources he may need from the Social Security Administration in order to reach his goal and how the applicant will use those resources in an effective manner. In addition to creating a cogent PASS, an applicant must complete the questionnaire document of the Social Security Administration and include it with his application.

Social Security disability benefits enable many Americans to maintain their livelihoods when injuries keep them from working. However, a person may benefit from pursuing a plan to achieve self-support in order to establish an effective way of supporting himself without benefits.

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Contact

The Law Office of Jennifer Zorrilla, located in San Diego, California, handles appeals for the denial of Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. It also serves clients in Rancho Bernardo, Del Mar, Chula Vista, La Mesa, Mission Valley, National City, Santee, El Cajon and across San Diego County and Southern California.